Are you in a career you love, or just a job?

I have a couple friends that are very fortunate and have careers in their dreamjobs. I currently am in a job I like a lot, but is not a dreamjob.

Are you in a career you love, or just a job?

Nagel
http://finance.webaplex.com

I love my work. I'm an actuary and I "fell into" the field- Math majors were not all that valuable in the job market in 1975 and it was about the only thing I could do besides teach. I didn't want to teach; I don't think I could control a classroom. The only offer I had was from an insurance company and I took it.

I'm still happy. My work is a great mix of computers, playing with data and working with teams of smart people. It's paid well and because I got into the international end of the business early (no coincidence- I've always been fascinated by travel and things foreign) I've also gotten swell free trips to London, Brussels, Zurich, Delhi, Munich and other interesting places. Yes, they were business trips and I actually had to work, but there's something to be said for getting on the train and going to work with the locals at 8 AM Monday morning- you see a side of the country that tourists don't. (If you've seen that building on the London skyline that looks like a giant pickle- I've been in it.) Next month I go to London, Bangalore and Delhi!

I honestly believe that if you do something you genuinely love for a living, you'll be more successful at it.

I love it. I teach at a university.

I work from home as a freelancer, so I love my job! I meet interesting people and I can be here for my son. :)

Work provides many intangible rewards and to some degree it defines who I have been for many years. Do I love work, perhaps not in the true meaning of loving to get up every day and go face the elementary kids to teach. Please don't hate me but after so many years it does become a job, Necessary for salary, medical and retirement benefits etc. If ever I want to retire I need this job and so my attitude is enjoy what I do and to help kids as much as I can and give them a good school experience. I know that all kids are cute but the breakdown of the family has changed the school atmosphere in which behavior is very draining. Now Wed. i have lunch with 3, 3rd graders who asked to have lunch with me, which I enjoy and am thrilled about because they are great kids and that they want to spend time with me, very rewarding personally.
I use to work counseling disabled people which I loved to but couldn't make enough money as college was approaching for my kids as they were about 5 yrs. away and I knew that I wanted to help them and enjoy life with my wife and family as well, and wanted to buy a house some day. So I stretched ,and tried a career change which then through me into a tail spin for about 10 years trying to get back to a salary that I left to do better. I had done my homework and tried the job part time to see if I enjoyed the work but over time It wasn't me and the road back was slow.
So for me I like what I do otherwise I couldn't do it day in and day out but it serves as a motivation for other things that I or my family can enjoy.
I am sharing this because as I get older and hear people say they love their jobs it just gives me reason to pause. If I could stay home and do a job with a good salary along with benefits I too would be exuberant, perhaps. Is the grass always greener somewhere else? As I consider other alternatives as I get older it gets more difficult to risk money and what you have to try a new career because its something I might "love". I might lose the other things that I love even more!

I am sharing this because as I get older and hear people say they love their jobs it just gives me reason to pause. If I could stay home and do a job with a good salary along with benefits I too would be exuberant, perhaps. Is the grass always greener somewhere else? As I consider other alternatives as I get older it gets more difficult to risk money and what you have to try a new career because its something I might "love". I might lose the other things that I love even more!

It is a balance, and I'm not sure I'd do it later in life, either. But then again, I "started" my career in my mid-30s, so I was already a bit late-ish. (BTW, kudos to you for teaching elementary school kids!)

I could make more teaching in public school -- my rural county has salary incentives to draw good teachers. I could teach two counties over, and have my student loans paid off by the government. But I chose to teach at the university level for many reasons, and accept a lower salary in order to have greater intellectual freedom, and greater leeway in dealing with students. I also have more days off than a public school teacher, and I like that a lot.

I didn't elaborate much when I posted before. And while I do indeed love my job, that doesn't mean there aren't days that it's a JOB. This semester, what's dragging me down is the 100 mile (one way) drive, which never bothered me before. The semester is stressful for other reasons (I'm carrying a five-load, when I should have a four-load), and that drive just makes me not want to get up in the mornings. Things will be better in fall, when my schedule lightens, and after I have a summer off from driving. And of course, there are the usual petty things, like office politics, administrative changes that may be unwelcome and unwise, a too-small office, and the chore of grading essays. But overall, I enjoy my job. I love walking into that classroom every day, and talking about current issues and good literature. What's not to love!!!!

I love my job but the pay is total crap. I am an airline pilot and it has been my dream since I was a kid. Might as well be happy.

If an airline pilot's pay is "total crap," then I am in trouble...

If an airline pilot's pay is "total crap," then I am in trouble...



Do you fly?

I'm an english teacher to the Koreans..at first this is just a job.but as time goes by im loving my work..but im still looking forward to get a job that is related to programming...

I do webdesign and I'v loving every minute of it. I've always hd the option to switch to a higher paying job but I stick with my passion. Its always more fulfilling in the long run. :)